E-P3 vs GX1 -- talk to me

Who has used both of these cameras? I'd love to read some compare and contrast type comments. They have both become relative bargains on the used market since the arrival of the E-M5, and I'm pretty sure I will upgrade to one of them from the E-PM1.

I have never tried the GX1 but I do own an E-p3 and love it. I owned a panasonic GF1 for a very short time and I didn't enjoy it at all but then again others in this forum seem to like it. I also owned the GH2 for a short time and didn't like the images I was getting compared to my Oly E-P2 I had so I ended up trading it in this forum for my E-P3. I would say if you are happy with your Oly E-PM1 and enjoy the Olympus colors I would just make the upgrade to the E-P3.

The E-P3 is great..... I feel like it's darn close to the OMD....people can say what they want to about the sensor, but in real life shooting, it was a joy. I've never shot with the GX, but I loved the gf1 and while I don't care for the looks of the GX, I'm sure it's a great camera, too.

I actually think that even though they're pretty different, they're pretty similar. Any other features you can use to differentiate them? Do you like to shoot video? Is in-body stabilzation important? Do you like to play with old lenses. Are you a JPEGer or a RAW shooter?

I've had both the EPM1 and the EP3. There's little difference outside of ergonomics and controls. Additionally, the EPM1 can do things like 5.5fps and fit in your pocket. If the upgrade is targeting better IQ, then I think the GX1 would be better fit. Personally, I'm sitting on EPM1s for the new Pens.

The E-P3 is great..... I feel like it's darn close to the OMD....people can say what they want to about the sensor, but in real life shooting, it was a joy. I've never shot with the GX, but I loved the gf1 and while I don't care for the looks of the GX, I'm sure it's a great camera, too.

I actually think that even though they're pretty different, they're pretty similar. Any other features you can use to differentiate them? Do you like to shoot video? Is in-body stabilzation important? Do you like to play with old lenses. Are you a JPEGer or a RAW shooter?

Need more info.

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Some video - not a major priority though. Some legacy glass, but again, not a priority. I do like Oly JPEGs, but it seems like the GX1 can be tweaked to get close. I'd rather skip RAW. I like the idea of better low light, as I do shoot a lot in the house with marginal lighting.

I was a fan of the GF1 as well, but honestly neither the GX1 nor the E-P3 wowed me initially.

I've had both the EPM1 and the EP3. There's little difference outside of ergonomics and controls. Additionally, the EPM1 can do things like 5.5fps and fit in your pocket. If the upgrade is targeting better IQ, then I think the GX1 would be better fit. Personally, I'm sitting on EPM1s for the new Pens.

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I'm definitely thinking about ergonomics and controls. I intended the E-PM1 to be more of an occasional use camera, but it has convinced me to make :43: my primary system and just do DSLR for fast action. Given that I will use the camera more I would appreciate the direct controls, touch screen and added size. I'd potentially add the 25/1.4, which I tried but felt was just too big for the E-PM1.

I could wait for the next new PEN with upgraded sensor, but I won't want to pay for it I'm sure .

I would buy the E-P3 because then you can use the same accessories as your E-PM1. Buy the VF-2 viewfinder for manual focus and shooting in bright light, and get the EMA-1 3.5mm stereo mic adapter for shooting video. You can use these all interchangeably between both your PEN Mini and your PEN.

Your GH1 on the other hand, has no accessories which you can share with the GX-1. The only worthwhile accessory for the GX-1 is the LVF-2 viewfinder, but it can currently only be used on the GX1 and no other camera (of course, we can assume it'll work on the successors to the GX line down the road). PEN accessories on the other hand, will work on all PEN and OM-D cameras alike.

Who has used both of these cameras? I'd love to read some compare and contrast type comments. They have both become relative bargains on the used market since the arrival of the E-M5, and I'm pretty sure I will upgrade to one of them from the E-PM1.

I think the G3 is the ugly duckling of the whole format, but might be the camera you're looking for (without even looking for it)....and they're even cheaper.

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Had one, and I agree with your ugly duckling take. Really didn't like it. Only camera I've owned that I just did not want to use. Kind of strange, as I am fine with the GH1 and it's not hugely different, but it is what it is.

I would buy the E-P3 because then you can use the same accessories as your E-PM1. Buy the VF-2 viewfinder for manual focus and shooting in bright light, and get the EMA-1 3.5mm stereo mic adapter for shooting video. You can use these all interchangeably between both your PEN Mini and your PEN.

Your GH1 on the other hand, has no accessories which you can share with the GX-1. The only worthwhile accessory for the GX-1 is the LVF-2 viewfinder, but it can currently only be used on the GX1 and no other camera (of course, we can assume it'll work on the successors to the GX line down the road). PEN accessories on the other hand, will work on all PEN and OM-D cameras alike.

I like my cameras to work as a fully interchangeable system.

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Well, I'm not keeping the E-PM1, so interchangability is not a plus either way I guess. And I'm keeping the GH1 for other reasons, so efficiency will likely be sacrificed to some degree.

While I've never handled a GX1, the photos of it show a grip design similar to the G3. I found the G3 grip to be difficult to abide, and I moved on. If the ergonomics work for you, however, I'm sure the GX1 would be an excellent choice.

I have the E-PM1 and E-P3. Unexpectedly, I've found them Mini to be more fun to operate than its more fully featured sibling. Maybe it's just that the E- P3 has so many controls...still trying to sort that out.

What Jonathan said ... while Ned's comments are applicable, I wouldn't purchase a general use camera based upon accessories.

G

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Yeah, this makes sense. Best of both worlds between GX1 and E-P3. I can go E-M5 now if I want to; I just don't want to . I can pick up an E-P3 (refurb) for around $450. Used GX1s for a bit less. Hard to justify more than double that for the E-M5.

Yeah, this makes sense. Best of both worlds between GX1 and E-P3. I can go E-M5 now if I want to; I just don't want to . I can pick up an E-P3 (refurb) for around $450. Used GX1s for a bit less. Hard to justify more than double that for the E-M5.

While I've never handled a GX1, the photos of it show a grip design similar to the G3. I found the G3 grip to be difficult to abide, and I moved on. If the ergonomics work for you, however, I'm sure the GX1 would be an excellent choice.

I have the E-PM1 and E-P3. Unexpectedly, I've found them Mini to be more fun to operate than its more fully featured sibling. Maybe it's just that the E- P3 has so many controls...still trying to sort that out.

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I, too, find the mini more fun to shoot with, though for the larger lenses, the larger body does hold some appeal.